Sneak Peek

These systems can help keep an eye on your
home while you're away

Even when he's not home, Derek Jacobs can see who is pulling into his driveway, turn on the lawn sprinkler and flip on the floodlights in the backyard of his home in Connecticut.

Mr. Jacobs can stay connected to his home from a personal computer hooked up to the Internet, used in conjunction with a home-automation system and a collection of Web cameras. A secure Web site acts as a mini-control center where, at the click of a mouse, he...